MD HB1171

Expands voting rights for the student member of the Howard County Board of Education by removing several current restrictions on matters they can vote on

Student member would gain voting rights on: geographical attendance areas, acquisition and disposition of real property, school construction matters, donations, condemnation, consolidation of schools and transportation of students, budgetary matters, and student suspension and expulsion

Student member would still be prohibited from voting on: employment of architects, appointment and salary of the county superintendent, employee discipline and appeals, appointment and promotion of staff, discipline of certificated staff, and collective bargaining for both certificated and noncertificated employees

Howard County Board of Education consists of seven elected members and one student member

Effective date: July 1, 2026